United stalwart Tom Holley, announced his retirement, to take up a
career in journalism. There was a ready made replacement in the shape
of the young Welsh giant.

The Major, recalling his sparkling display in his side’s
embarrassing 1-3 victory in the 3rd Round Cup tie at Elland Road,
brought the diminutive Welsh International winger Harold Williams to
Leeds for £12,000, while Roly Depear took the opposite route and
United recouped £8,000. Several other players departed, amongst them
keeper Jim Twomey and Centre Forward Albert Wakefield. Frank Dudley arrived,
being exchanged for the latter, from Southend United.

United kicked off the season with Searson, Dunn and Jim Milburn,
McCabe, Charles and Burden, Williams, McMorran, Browning, Moss and
Rudd. Davie Cochrane returned from injury to take up his place on the
right wing, Harold Williams reverting to the left wing and Frank Dudley
replaced Moss to form what was to be the team for the rest of the
season, with Eric Kerfoot sometimes deputising for Jim McCabe and Ray
Iggleden appearing at inside forward. This was the season when United
rediscovered themselves, finishing a creditable 5th with 48 points.
They were only five points less than the promoted Sheffield Wednesday,
who narrowly won promotion on goal average from Sheffield United and
Southampton, who finished with identical points. However, the
magnificent Tottenham Hotspur team of Ditchburn, Ramsey and
Withers/Willis, Nicholson, Clarke and Burgess, Walters, Bennett/Rees,
Duquemin, Baily and Medley won the championship and went on to take the
First Division title the following season.

Charles confirmed his early promise and became the youngest player
ever to represent Wales, when he made his International debut that year
at the age of 18. After a terrible start to the season in which only
one game was won from the first eleven matches, United, playing sometimes
brilliant football, embarked on a magnificent spell and lowered their
flag only five times in the remaining 31 fixtures. This included the
thrashing of the previously unbeatable Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 at Elland
Road in front of a crowd of 50,476.

Not only did United give a good account of themselves in the league,
but also had their best ever run in the FA Cup. Never usually
progressing much further than the third round, United excelled
themselves, clearing the first hurdle with a 5-2 victory at Carlisle.
The 4th Round brought First Division Bolton Wanderers to Elland Road
and after a 1-1 draw not even the most optimistic fan gave their team
much hope in the replay at Burnden Park, but in the ankle-deep slush,
United skated to a giant-killing 3-2 win.

Cup fever hit Leeds and when Second Division Cardiff City were drawn
at Elland Road in the 5th Round, tickets went on sale at a reserve game
and 20,000 attended, such was the demand. 53,099 fans squeezed into the
ground to witness a famous 3-1 victory. First Division big guns Arsenal
at Highbury was their reward, and the whole of Leeds wanted to make the
trip. In a tremendous end-to-end tussle United gave as good as they got
and only a 52nd minute toe-poke from Reg Lewis separated the teams, after
Arsenal had hung on in desperation for the last 20 minutes. Arsenal went
on to win the Cup that year with a 2-0 victory over Liverpool at Wembley.

Harold Searson, John Charles and Tommy Burden were ever-presents and
Jimmy Dunnn was only absent twice. Frank Dudley and Harold Williams led
the goal-scorers with 12 and 10 respectively.

A truly memorable season, which United fans hoped would be the
springboard for future success.

1950-51 saw Jack Scott share goalkeeping duties with Harold Searson. Davie
Cochrane retired early in the season after playing 175 times in a career
shortened by the war. Ernie Stevenson came from Southampton in exchange for
Frank Dudley halfway through the season. Tony Ingham had beenunable to break
into the first team, and was allowed to depart to Queens Park Rangers for
£5,000, where he went on to become their record appearance holder. The
Major also picked up another £10,000 when Eddie McMorran left for Barnsley.
He also made a real bargain in acquiring Eric Kerfoot for £3,000 from
Stalybridge Celtic. He did, however, let a young Tommy Casey slip through the
net. He was later to become an FA Cup-Winner with Newcastle United and was
capped by Ireland.

Len Browning, after scoring 19 goals, was injured with half a dozen games to
go and the Major experimented with John Charles at centre forward and was not
surprised when the big man scored 3 goals. He had so much natural ability that
it seemed he could slot into any position. The possessor of delicate ball skill,
Charles was virtually unbeatable in the air, firm in the tackle, neat in
distribution, powerful in shot and possessor of a calm temperament. He was still
only 21, but seemed the complete footballer. He had scouts and agents flocking
to Elland Road in their droves, to such an extent, that United warned clubs off
in an editorial message in the club programme. Once again United finished fifth.
With 48 points, they were just four points below the promotion requirement.

There was no FA Cup run to excite the fans. Middlesbrough were beaten 1-0 in
front of 45,583 at Elland Road. The 4th Round trip to Old Trafford brought a 4-0
humbling from the Division 1 runners-up, Manchester United.

With Jim Milburn who was ever-present, and Jimmy Dunn missing only two,
Grenville Hair deputising on both occasions, the defence had a strong base. The
Half-back line was a permutation of any three from the emerging Eric Kerfoot,
and the established John Charles, Tommy Burden and Jim McCabe. Up front was a
different matter and several combinations were tried to no great effect. Peter
Harrison established himself as Davie Cochrane’s replacement, Len Browning
led the scorers with 19 and the effervescent Welsh International Harold Williams
excelled, but others failed to live up to expectations. An unknown South African
George Miller was given a chance on the recommendation of a friend of the Major’s
and he was followed by fellow-countrymen Ken Hastie, Gordon Stewart and John
Skene later in the 1950’s, none made much impact.

1951-52 saw Charles on National Service with the Royal Tank Regiment and also
had cartilage problems. He was virtually irreplaceable but young Roy Kirk did
well as his stand in, even pushing up as a centre forward after Len Browning had
been transferred. Scott and Searson again shared duties between the sticks,
inside forward Don Mills joined United from Cardiff City for £12,000 midway
through the season, and a young Grenville Hair emerged to replace the aging Jim
Milburn at left back. He left for Bradford but United’s long association
with the Milburn Family was preserved as his nephew, a very young Jack Charlton,
joined the juniors and another long chapter of the family association with Leeds
had begun. Archie Gibson, Keith Ripley, Jimmy Ashall and Royden Wood were signed
and began their United apprenticeships. The Major kept the cash inflow rolling by
selling Len Browning to Sheffield United for £12,000 and later Roy Kirk to
Coventry City for £10,000.

Ray Iggleden, had his best season for United and not only led the scorers with
19 but was the most regular performer missing only one game. However, despite
possessing the reliable Tommy Burden, Eric Kerfoot, Jimmy Dunn and Grenville Hair,
United lacked the necessary strike power. In a season of anti-climax, United
finished 6th with 47 points, again only 4 points adrift from promotion.

Once again United progressed well in the Cup going down in a 5th Round second
replay to First Division Chelsea. Two goals from temporary centre-forward Roy
Kirk claimed victory in the Third Round at Rochdale, before Bradford Park Avenue
were beaten at Elland Road by the same score. In the Fifth Round there were 1-1
draws at both Elland Road and after extra-time at Stamford Bridge, before United
finally capitulated in extra-time at Villa Park in the second replay, but the
final 5-1 score-line did not do them justice.

1952-53 saw Jack Scott ever-present in goal, In fact, the defence of Dunn,
Hair, Kerfoot, Charles and Burden hardly missed a game between them. In the
forwards it was a different matter and only Iggleden appeared often. There was a
decided scarcity of goals and the Major solved this by once more pushing
“Big John” up front. He did this in early October, the ever reliable
Jim McCabe coming in at Centre Half with young local boy Jack Marsden deputising
when he was injured.

He also purchased long time target Albert Nightingale from Blackburn Rovers,
for £10,000, and the 5’3” bag of tricks Scotsman George Meek
from Hamilton Academicals. Future England full back Jimmy Langley could not
displace Grenville Hair and had to be content with a few games on the left wing.
Andy McCall, father of Leeds born future Scottish International Stuart, was
bought from West Bromwich Albion for £2,000. He had previously spent many
seasons with Blackpool, where he had featured in the famous all M forward line
of Matthews, Mortensen, McIntosh, McCall and Munro. Arthur Tyrer usually filled
in for the injured Harold Williams on the left wing. There was also a debut on
the final day for 17 year old Jack Charlton!

The inconsistent United disappointed to finish 10th with 43 points. They were
well off the pace and again exiting the Cup in the Third Round, 2-1 at Brentford.
With the ever-reliable Ray Iggleden also netting a dozen, United were a potent
attacking force, John Charles scored 26 goals from 28 games up front and also
scored in the one FA Cup game. In one spell he scored in six consecutive games,
amassing 11 goals, including two hat-tricks. He adapted to his new role so well
that he was immediately picked there for his country, to confirm his status as
the most complete young player in Great Britain. Leeds had been dubbed unfairly
“Charles United” by the press and pressure mounted for United to
sell their young colossus, but the club steadfastly refused. Major Buckley was
now 70 and after seeing United miss out on promotion once more, he moved on
leaving behind the makings of a fine team and the legacy of unearthing John
Charles and a very young Jack Charlton.

Horatio Stratton, Raich to most people, Carter recognized as one of England’s
greatest ever inside forwards took over the reins, bringing with him 40 year old
Leeds war-time guest-player, Eddie Burbanks

Jim Langley was allowed to leave United for Brighton and Hove Albion. He was
later to find fame with Fulham and England. A young Jack Overfield was signed on.
With George Meek lost to National Service he was loaned to Walsall, the club
closest to his Army base, and United welcomed back Harold Williams, now recovered
from his broken leg, and Eddie Burbank lined up on the other wing.

The season started in explosive fashion Charles scoring four times in a 6-0
drubbing of Notts County. This was followed by another Charles hat-trick as Leeds
beat Rotherham 4-2. Although Charles finished with 42 goals from 39 games and
another goal from 2 Cup games, an inconsistent Leeds could do no better than
again finish 10th, once again with 43 points. Once again they failed to progress
past Round 3 in the FA Cup, falling 1-0 at White Hart Lane to Tottenham Hotspur
in a replay after the teams had shared six goals at Elland Road.

The team had stability. Scott and Wood shared goalkeeping duties, Dunn, Hair
and Kerfoot were ever-present and Tommy Burden only missed one game. McCabe and
Marsden share the pivot role, Williams, Nightingale, who scored 17 times,
Charles and Iggleden hardly missed a game, and while George Meek was unavailable
on National Service, Tyrer, Burbanks, McCall and Forrest filled in, where
necessary.

Charles was unstoppable up front, crashing in power-packed shots from all
angles and sending thumping headers ripping past bemused goalkeepers. He was the
Football League’s leading scorer and broke just about every Leeds
goal-scoring record.

United had turned on the floodlights at Elland Road and featured several night
friendlies, but it did not disguise the fact that once again Leeds remained a
Second Division club, albeit with Britain’s finest player.

1954-55 could not have got off to a worse start. Aging Jim McCabe had left
the club and Jack Marsden was found wanting as United stumbled with five defeats
from the first six games. The ever-dependable popular United Captain Tommy Burden,
who had more than 250 appearances to his credit, left the club after a
disagreement with the manager. Carter had berated Jack Scott over a goal conceded
from a free-kick. Captain Burden defended his keeper by pointing out a tactical
deficiency that had led to the goal being conceded. Sadly Leeds lost one of its
finest and most dedicated servants, as he gave several more seasons sterling
service to Bristol City, who he led to the Third Division (South) title and so
gained his only football medal.

Veteran striker Harold Brook had been bought in the summer from Sheffield
United and so, as Jack Charlton was on National Service, John Charles returned
to centre-half to plug the holes left in the defence. Royden Wood took over in
goal from Jack Scott, Keith Ripley emerged at right half, with Eric Kerfoot
taking over Tommy Burden’s role at left-half. Late season, Ripley was
pushed forward and Archie Gibson was given his debut at right-half. Williams and
McCall were the wingers until the return of George Meek for the last 10 games of
the season. Brook (16), Nightingale (13) and Forrest (9) provided the strike
power. Mid season Charles had rocked United with a transfer request, but while
Cardiff and Arsenal waited poised to make record bids, Sam Bolton refused his
request. Considering their problems, Leeds did very well to reach 4th place with
53 points only one point behind promoted Birmingham City and Luton Town and
third place Rotherham United, who all had the same number of points.

There was further humiliation in the FA Cup when, after being held 2-2 at
Elland Road United were humbled in the Replay by Third Division (South)
strugglers Torquay United, ironically led by former United striker Don Mills.

1955-56 had to be the year that United ended their 9 season sojourn out of
the top division. The fans and Charles longed for football in the top flight and
Carter must have known he was on borrowed time if he failed again. Royden Wood,
Jimmy Dunn and Eric Kerfoot were ever-presents with John Charles absent only
once, Grenville Hair was the regular left back with Jimmy Ashall deputising on
occasions, Archie Gibson, was the main right half and Keith Ripley deputised. On
the wings Harold Williams and George Meek were equally adept on either flank as
local boy Jackie Overfield emerged as United’s new left winger. All were
excellent in supplying the stream of crosses which the deadly John Charles
converted into goals. Brook (16) and Nightingale (10) both regularly featured on
the score sheet, but with the more frequent availability of Jack Charlton and
Jack Marsden now more experienced, United could afford to unleash John Charles
to a forward role and he scored 29 times in 28 appearances in the attack.

While United were almost unbeatable at home their away form was letting them
down. When United’s proud home record was broken in March after 34 games
by Blackburn Rovers, and then they lost the following away game at Stoke City,
it looked as if United’s promotion dream was over for another year. The
players responded brilliantly, beating Plymouth at home and then won a rare away
victory at Fulham, but a loss away to Notts Forest the following day seemed to
have shattered their chances. Amazingly United stormed through their final
fixtures with six successive wins to finish runners-up to Sheffield Wednesday
with 52 points, three behind the leaders but four more than the chasing pack.

Excitement had reached fever-pitch when promotion rivals Bristol Rovers
visited Elland Road for the last home game of the season, with only away trips
to Rotherham United and Hull City remaining. In front of a 49,274 crowd, Rovers
arrived with a two point advantage, but United had a game in hand. Dai Ward
stunned the home crowd by giving the visitors the lead after only three minutes,
but a classic Charles header restored parity after 17 minutes. Ten minutes later
the rampant Charles supplied Jackie Overfield, for the local boy to slam the
winner off the underside of the bar. This moved United into second place on
goal average. Two days later United made the short trip to Millmoor where an
Albert Nightingale brace won the game against Rotherham United.

They now needed only a draw from their final game to ensure promotion. 15,000
Leeds fans made the trip to Boothferry Park, and the travelling faithful were
soon dancing with delight as John Charles scored with a left foot thunderbolt.
Hull City, who had already been relegated, hit back as Tommy Martin equalised
after 13 minutes. On the hour George Meek was sent sprawling in the area.
Charles hit the resulting penalty with such force that the keeper wisely dived
out of its way and United were ahead and never looked in danger as Harold Brook
also got two for United to run out 4-1 winners. John Charles and Leeds could now
sample First Division opposition in the coming season.

In the FA Cup United started on the first leg of an unwanted trifecta. The
same two teams played at the same ground and each time the score was the same,
only their Divisional Status changed. 1955-56 saw Second Division Leeds meet
First Division Cardiff City and lose 2-1 at Elland Road

Leeds United and John Charles showed that they were more than a match for
anything the First Division had to offer. They kicked off at Elland Road with a
5-1 humbling of Everton. There was a hat-trick from Harold Brook and one each
from Overfield and Charles, with all the goals coming in the first 34 minutes.
However, their celebrations were short lived as Albert Nightingale suffered an
injury which ended his career.

Interestingly, United were in such a hurry that Jackie Overfield’s
opener was the first scored by anyone in the entire Football League but,
although he was ever-present, he failed to find the net again that season!

Despite the happenings on and off the field, United stuck to their task
manfully with Royden Wood, Jimmy Dunn, Grenville Hair and Jackie Overfield all
being ever-presents, Archie Gibson, George Meek and John Charles all only
missing two games. Charlton was centre-half with Jack Marsden as his able deputy.
Bobby Forrest, Keith Ripley, the young Chris Crowe and new signing George
O’Brien shared the gap left by Nightingale and the aging Harold Brook who
was restricted to 24 appearances. United also bade farewell to another fine
servant, with Harold Williams returning to his native Newport for £750. He
did return to Leeds after his playing days and was a regular supporter at home
games with his good friends John Charles and Jimmy Dunn.

If the loss of Nightingale was not enough, on Tuesday, 18th September 1956,
fire destroyed the West Stand. Players had to change in the nearby Whitehall
Printers dressing rooms in Lowfields Road, then a 600 yard coach trip, and a run
through the debris and on to the Elland Road pitch. United did well, in the
circumstances, to finish 8th with 44 points. The FA Cup saw the second leg of
the unwanted trifecta as the now two First Division sides again produced the
same score line.

The unstoppable John Charles took the First Division by storm, scoring 38
goals from 40 appearances, easily the best in the First Division, where he was
trailed by Jackie Mudie of Blackpool with 32 and Nat Lofthouse of Bolton
Wanderers with 28. It was only bettered by Arthur Rowley with 44 for Second
Division Leicester City and equalled by Brian Clough of Middlesbrough in the
same Division.

It was to be the end of the reign of “King John”, however, as the
lure of the lira took him to Italy for a record £65,000, with Juventus
beating off Inter-Milan, Lazio and Real Madrid to secure his services. A crowd
of almost 30,000 in the restricted stadium farewelled their hero in a 3-1
victory over Sunderland, Charles duly gave them two goals to remember him by. On
his arrival in Turin, the final piece of the Charles transfer slotted into place
without trouble. “Charles is the fittest man I know playing football. I
have never seen a better human machine in a lifetime in medicine” the
doctor examining Charles reported. The Gentle Giant was idolised as he rattled
in 109 goals, won three Italian League Championships, an Italian Cup Medal,
represented the Italian League and was named Italian Footballer of the year.
Replacing him was going to be an impossible task.